Clemson, Trahan Continue to Lead NCAA East Regional

May 17, 2002

Roswell, GA – D.J. Trahan fired a two-under-par 70 to pace Clemson to the team lead after two rounds of the NCAA East Regional men’s golf tournament. The 54-hole event at Settindown Creek Golf Club in Roswell, GA will conclude Saturday with the final 18 holes. Clemson will be in the first groups teeing off (7:30 to 8:05 am).

Trahan continued his outstanding play and his five-under-par 139 total after two rounds leads the event by two shots over Matt Weibring of Georgia Tech. Bob Cherry of North Carolina is third at 142.

Clemson holds a one-stroke lead after 36 holes over ACC rival Georgia Tech, who shot a 287 today as a team. The Tigers had a 291 team score after recording a 286 on Thursday, a score that was the only team tally in red figures for the opening round. North Carolina was at seven under at one point on Saturday, but finished at two-under-par 286 for the day and stands at 581 for the event. Defending NCAA Champion Florida is fourth at 590.

Clemson is in tremendous shape to made the 10-team cut for the 14th straight year and advance to the NCAA Championships at Ohio State May 29 to June 1. Clemson is nearly 20 shots clear of the cutline entering the final round.

“We are going to try to win the golf tournament on Saturday,” said Head Coach Larry Penley, who already has a record four NCAA East Regional Championships on his resume. “If we go out and play passive and just try to make the cut we won’t play well. We want to win the tournament and form that winning mindset for the nationals.”

Trahan recorded his 24th under par round of the year, breaking the school record of 23 held by Charles Warren in 1997-98. Trahan’s round included a birdie at the difficult par 3 17th hole. Trahan nearly recorded his first hole-in-one on any course at any time when he dropped his tee shot just two feet from the cup. He made the putt to go five-under for the tournament. He got up and down out of the sand on 18 to complete his 70.

Sophomore Greg Jones shot a solid 73 and stands at 144 after two rounds, even par. He joins Trahan in the top 10 among the individuals.

While Trahan and Jones were outstanding, it was the play of first-year freshman Martin Catalioto that was the highlight for Clemson on Friday. Catalioto had a one-over-par 73 on the day, including a 33 on the back side. His performance was achieved in the clutch because he knew his score would count after Matt Hendrix got off to an eight-over par start after the first 12 holes.

“Martin was huge today,” said Penley of his freshman. “He had a triple bogey on the eighth hole and he could have gotten down and had a bad round. But, he showed a lot of guts. He was outstanding in every phase of the game on the back nine and finished with three under for the back side. It was a clutch performance.” Ben Duncan fired a three over par 75 and stands at 148 after two rounds, while Hendrix came back himself with a five-over 77 and stands at 150. Catalioto stands at 150 after two rounds.

Clemson Scores after 36 holesD.J. Trahan             69-70           139     -5  (First)Gregg Jones             71-73           144     E  (Fifth)Ben Duncan              73-75           148     +4Martin Catalioto                77-73           150     +6Matt Hendrix            77-73           150     +6Team                    286-291         577  +1   (First)